Despite heavy rain, 14 volunteers showed up at Silcock Street and got stuck into some planting, mulching and weeding. The first area of work was set up along the Melaleuca forest track where some higher ground supports a number of Eucalypt trees amongst the paperbark trees. The group planted a number of new Eucalypt along with some Acacia and Melaleuca.

Although the heavy rain made it uncomfortable for the humans it certainly provided the right environment for planting out seedlings. Each plant was provided with mulch and a hardwood stake in order to protect them. Some mulch was also provided to some of the local seedlings found in the area. There is definitely scope for improving the habitat with Eucalypt which if established can inhibit weed growth as well as provide forage for any local koalas.

The conditions also made it easier for the volunteers to remove some of the weed grasses including Johnson and Molasses Grass. To finish off the damp morning some of the team moved up to the Green Army site to look at the work being carried out there. Jasper Johnson, an experienced Green team man himself, noticed some koala poo on the track, and when everyone looked up the spotted a female koala, huddled up against a branch in order to avoid drowning in the rain. After the excitement in the group settled down, another younger animal was spotted in the adjacent tree.

There is not enough suitable habitat to sustain many local koalas who are mainly concentrated in the Chelsea Street Reserve. This young pair must have taken some risks to reach the patch behind Silcock Street. It reminded everybody of just how important looking after the remaining patches of Eucalypt around Redcliffe and Moreton Bay is. Every bit helps the cause! Let’s hope all of the trees planted today, establish themselves and grow quickly in order to give our remaining koalas a chance continue to live along the edges of Hays Inlet.

Remember: the first Sunday of every month is Bush care Day. Join us from 7.30 am to 9.30 am at Silcock Street!